by Rebecca Deel
“Darcy St. Claire. Thanks for keeping an eye on my house last night.”
One of the trainees walked into the kitchen, tugging off his gloves. “What’s with the holes in the floors?”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Rio’s hand clenched around his bottle of water. “Holes?” He exchanged a glance with Darcy. From her puzzled expression, she didn’t know what Johnson was talking about. He hadn’t noticed gaps in the flooring. His lips curled. The chance of seeing the holes was slim as crowded as the rooms were.
“We’ve cleared two rooms. In both, there are holes in the floors.”
“Rotted wood?”
“It looks as if someone pried the wood up with a crowbar. Shame, too. These floors are a beautiful maple. My grandma had floors just like them. She loved them enough to tan our hides if we dragged furniture over the surface.”
Rio started to rise when Josh motioned for him to stay seated. “I’ll check it out. Finish your lunch.” He smirked. “I just had a lunch date with Del.”
Normally, the jibe would irritate Rio, reinforcing the lack of female companionship in his life. In truth, no woman had interested him for months. His gaze slid to Trent’s sister. Until now. Seemed as if that problem had come to an end. The pianist fascinated him with her mix of softness and steel. With all the major changes in her life, would Darcy be willing to consider dating anyone? If she did, what would Trent say? Yeah, he and Rio were friends. That didn’t mean the Fortress operative wanted Rio in his sister’s life.
Darcy stabbed another bite of salad with her fork. “Why would someone destroy the floor?”
He dragged his attention back to the conversation. “I wonder how old the demolition work is.”
“Maybe the trainee was mistaken about the crowbar. Water damage or termites make more sense. Ms. Bond couldn’t have maintained the pest control. No bug man would risk life and limb to spray in here.” Some of the color leached from her face. “That makes me wonder what kind of insects have taken up residence in the place. Not good. I need to call the exterminator as soon as the rooms are empty.”
“Johnson’s right,” Josh said, striding into the room, expression grim. “The damage to the floors isn’t natural wear and tear. Someone ripped up two or three planks in each room.”
“Can you tell how long the holes have been there?” Darcy asked.
“I’m not a carpenter, but the damage looks recent.”
“Guess that explains the light last night,” Rio said.
“Possibly.” Durango’s leader frowned. “Must be after something specific to do that kind of damage. This isn’t random destruction.” He turned to Darcy. “Did you tour every room before you bought this place?”
“I couldn’t see much. Your friends have cleared mountains of stuff in the last two hours.” She grinned. “You also have several inches on me. The only thing I saw was walls of items to pitch.”
“The whole town knew Ms. Bond was eccentric. For obvious reasons, we couldn’t see in through the windows and she never invited anyone over. This house is going to take a lot of work, Darcy, but she’ll be a showstopper. Are you doing the work yourself?”
Rio wanted to protest, realized he couldn’t. He and the lady were acquaintances. She also had a stubborn streak as wide as his own. To his relief, Darcy laughed at Josh’s question.
“Fat chance of that. I’m good with my hands.” She stopped, grimaced. “Well, I used to be. But my skill set doesn’t lean toward carpentry work.”
Josh tilted his head. “What is your skill set?”
“I’m a pianist, but I’m opening my own restaurant in town. I’ve already rented a storefront on the square and the contractor started work this morning.”
“You should talk to Nate,” Rio said. “He’s a professionally trained chef.”
“What kind of restaurant, Darcy?” Josh asked.
“One that specializes in wraps.”
“Wraps?”
“Wraps for breakfast and lunch.”
Rio’s eyebrows rose. “No offense, sweetheart, but when have you had time to cook over the last twenty years?”
Darcy folded her arms across her chest. “When I wasn’t touring and any time I convinced my agent to rent a place with a kitchen instead of a hotel suite. The recipes have been handed down in our family. Trent and I love all of these wraps plus I enjoy experimenting. And if you keep doubting my cooking ability, I don’t see why I should feed you for a month.”
Josh looked amused. “Does she know how much you eat in a day, Kincaid?”
After a scowl at his unit leader, he turned back to Darcy. “What kind of wraps are we talking about?”
“Trent’s favorite breakfast wraps are egg, cheese, and either bacon or sausage. Lunch includes the standards such as ham, turkey, roast beef, and chicken. I’ve made specialty wraps like turkey and dressing or turkey, cream cheese, and a cranberry spread in the month of November. The menu will also include ham salad, chicken salad, and egg salad on a regular basis.”
“Sounds tasty,” Rio admitted. “When will you open for business?”
“Hopefully in about six weeks. I’ve already ordered the sign.”
“Yeah? What’s the name?”
“That’s A Wrap.”
“Clever,” Josh said. “So, what do you need me to do?”
“Grab some gloves and a dust mask, Major,” Rio said. “At the end of the day, we need to transport boxes to the shelter. If Del stops by to look at the books, she’ll have first dibs for the store. Otherwise, Darcy can donate them as well.”
He nodded, then shifted his gaze to Darcy. “Sorting instructions?”
She repeated the instructions given to the trainees. When he left, Rio nudged the salad closer. “Better eat. Sounds like the others are gearing up for round two. Can’t have them showing us up.”
Darcy grabbed her fork and finished the rest of her lunch along with polishing off the water.
“Pay attention to how you feel this afternoon.”
“Besides the fatigue?”
“I’m interested in the body aches.”
As they worked through the afternoon, he kept tabs on her energy level. When she flagged, he encouraged Darcy to rest a few minutes, and gave her nuts he’d asked Nate to bring from PSI along with more water.
She fared better than he thought she might. While playing the piano, she sat for hours. Emptying the three-story house required standing, bending, and walking. At four o’clock, he and Nate loaded the back of Josh’s truck and the cargo areas of the SUVs. By the time the PSI trainees stopped for the day, the porch was cleared and the vehicles loaded with donations.
He and Darcy watched the caravan leave the neighborhood from the front porch. She shivered in the cold wind. Hoping he wouldn’t be rebuffed, Rio slid his arm around her shoulders, drawing her against his side to share his warmth. “Did you see the Dumpsters?” he murmured.
“Not since lunch. Why?”
“Come on. You’ll be pleased.” He walked with her to the bins, grinned when her jaw dropped.
“We filled all three.” Delight filled her face. “It’s good I called before lunch to have empty bins delivered tomorrow. Rio, this is amazing. How can I ever repay you for this?”
“A third date.”
She burst into laughter. “We haven’t had the second one yet.”
“Have dinner with me tonight. We’ll count that as the second date.”
“I’m filthy and probably look a fright.”
“Sorry, sweetheart, you’re wrong. You look gorgeous with dust on your nose and hair. I know you’re tired, but you have to eat. Delaney’s is on the town square. We’ll fit in with the after work crowd.”
“You knew I was going to skip dinner, didn’t you? I’m too tired to do justice to a meal tonight and will be lousy company.”
He tapped her nose gently. “No skipping meals. Your body doesn’t process food right so you can’t afford to skip any. You probably need an enzyme to help you digest what
ever you do eat.”
“Are you sure you slept at all last night, Rio?”
“I’m a medic, Darcy. Researching Sjogren’s was interesting.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Can’t imagine that being true.”
He stilled. “You haven’t looked into it?”
“Not yet.” Her cheeks turned red.
“You should. We need to learn how your body best functions.”
She tilted her head. “We?”
He was coming on kind of strong, but he prayed she wouldn’t tell him to back off. Aside from his attraction to her, Darcy had made such a difference in his life with her music that he wanted to return the favor. “I’d like to help, if you’ll let me.”
“The autoimmune disease doesn’t bother you?”
“Everybody has to deal with something.”
“You are an amazing man, Rio Kincaid.”
He grimaced. “I don’t know about that. Let’s check the windows and doors, make sure they’re locked before we go to Delaney’s. After we eat, I’ll follow you to the motel. I’ll feel better if I’m sure you’re safe in your room. I need sleep tonight, after all.”
“That was not my fault. You’re the one who researched a weird disease instead of sleeping.”
Together, they toured the house, checking windows and doors. Rio was astonished at how much progress had been made. Sure, they had a lot further to go, but you could walk into most of the first floor rooms without fear of being buried alive by Ms. Bond’s belongings.
“What will you do with the furniture?” He glanced at the heavy wood four-poster bed in a downstairs bedroom. Didn’t seem like the kind of furniture Darcy would buy for herself.
“Donate it. I want to buy my own. I’m a little afraid to consider what might be lurking in the upholstery or mattresses.”
“Don’t you have furniture where you live now?”
“Some. The apartment is pretty small. I spent most of my time sitting at the Steinway than anywhere else.”
Darcy crouched beside one of the holes. She ran her fingers lightly over the jagged edge. “Johnson was right. This floor is gorgeous. Do you think the contractor can fix the floors?”
“After he replaces the planks, new stain will help all the wood appear the same.” He drew Darcy to her feet. “Come on. You worked me hard today and I’m starving.”
At the diner, he encouraged her to order food that wasn’t processed, then in the interest of being fair, ordered the same for himself. The meal took longer to eat than he wanted because many townspeople stopped by their table to talk and introduce themselves to Darcy. By the time she finished eating, his dinner date was visibly drooping.
As promised, Rio followed her to the motel and walked her to her door. “Sleep well, sweetheart.” He leaned down and brushed her lips with a light kiss. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
“Will the trainees be back tomorrow?”
“That’s the plan. We’d like to clear the house before Trent returns.”
“What about their training?”
“We’ll double up the sessions for two weeks. They’ll be fine.”
Darcy squeezed his hand. “Promise you’ll go to bed soon, Rio.”
His heart turned over in his chest. “You have my word. Call me if you need anything.”
With a nod, she unlocked her room door and went inside.
Rio waited until he heard the locks engage before returning to his SUV and driving home. He dropped his grungy clothes in the hamper and indulged in a long, hot shower, grateful to wash away dirt and ease aches. He couldn’t imagine how Darcy felt.
Twenty minutes later, he crawled into his bed and shut off the light.
At three o’clock, his cell phone rang.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Darcy jerked awake at the ringing of her cell phone. She squinted at the clock. A few minutes after three. Sitting up, she lunged for the phone on the nightstand. Maybe it was Trent.
She glanced at the screen, frowned. “Kind of early for a wakeup call, Kincaid.”
“Sweetheart, you need to pack a small bag with enough clothes for a few days.”
Oh, no. No, no, no. “Trent?”
“He’s been injured. Pack the bag, Darcy. I’ll pick you up in fifteen minutes. Don’t forget your meds.” And then he was gone.
She threw back the covers. Fifteen minutes. Her brain was fogged and she was stiff, again. Shower. The warmth would help the joints. Maybe there was someplace open where she could buy coffee or green tea. She needed caffeine.
Darcy grabbed clothes and hurried through a quick shower. Dressed in jeans and a purple sweater, she tied her running shoes and threw her clothes and supplies into a bag. She checked her purse for her meds, breathed a sigh of relief she wouldn’t have to search for them. By the time Rio’s knock sounded on her door, her hands were shaking and her teeth chattering.
It took her a couple tries to unlatch the locks. “How bad is he?”
“I’ll tell you everything I know on the way to Knoxville.”
“All set?” Josh Cahill stepped inside the room, dressed in his OCPD uniform.
Darcy stared at him, surprised at his appearance. “Are you driving us to Knoxville?”
He chuckled. “I met Rio here for the extra house key. Trent will need a place to recover and he’ll be happier in a house than a motel room.”
“I don’t have furniture for him. I need to get rid of everything in that house, including the appliances.”
“We’ll take care of the basics from our own houses. Nate will deal with the appliances. You can settle with him later, then purchase the other things you want when Trent is back on his feet.”
Some of the knots in her stomach eased. One less thing to worry over. At least she’d have a place to nurse her brother back to health. “Thank you.”
He reached over and squeezed her shoulder. “He’ll be fine. Your brother is a tough soldier.”
She grinned. “Don’t let him hear you say that.”
“And here I thought SEALs had thick skin.”
“We need to go, sweetheart.” Rio lifted her bag. He glanced at Josh. “I’ll call you as soon as I know anything. Contact Donnelly. Tell him to cover the first aid class until I return.”
“You got it.” He turned to Darcy. “Take care of yourself, sugar. That’s the best thing you can do for your brother.”
Rio’s SUV was parked beside her car. He opened the passenger door, stowed her bag behind her seat, and lifted her into the vehicle. He had to feel her whole body shaking. His face softened. “Trent’s getting the best care available.” With that statement, he hurried around the front of the SUV and climbed behind the wheel. “One of the Fortress jets will be waiting for us.”
“Tell me about Trent. Wait. Before that, why were you notified instead of me?” As his only relative, shouldn’t she have been notified first?
“Trent asked Maddox to call me before he was taken into surgery. Your brother is a big man. You’ll need help caring for him.”
“You’re going with me?”
He glanced at her. “Will that be a problem?”
“Of course not. Where are we going?”
“Little place called Bayside, Texas.”
She frowned. “Doesn’t sound as though it has a state-of-the-art trauma center.”
“You’d be surprised. Trent took a bullet to the leg and a couple knife wounds to the torso. He’ll recover, Darcy, but will take a while to heal.”
That sounded so good, but she was afraid he might be placating her. “You promise?”
“If his prognosis was bad, I’d tell you.”
And still her teeth chattered.
Another glance her way and the medic reached behind the seat, grabbed a blanket, and dropped it on her lap. “Cover up with this. You’re in shock and dealing with adrenaline dump.”
Darcy wrapped the blanket around her as Rio turned up the heat. Before long, the shakes stopped, but she was exhausted and convinced she was
a complete wuss.
“Think you can sleep?” he asked.
“Too wound up.”
“We’ll have four hours on the plane. Maybe you can nap then.”
She’d never been good about taking naps as a kid. Her mother had complained everything stimulated her.
Forty minutes later, they boarded a Lear jet. The inside was as luxurious as any private plane she’d ever been on. “This is what you guys use to fly around the globe? Maybe I’ve been in the wrong line of work.”
“Fortress has a fleet of five jets now. We use them all the time, sometimes for long hours. Brent didn’t see the necessity of skimping on comfort.”
“How long before Trent is released?”
“That’s a question we’ll have to ask the doc.” He waved her toward a seat. “As soon as we’re strapped in, Gardner will take off.”
Darcy dropped into the nearest seat and fastened her seatbelt. As soon as Rio was settled beside her, he activated the intercom system and informed the pilot they were ready.
Once they were airborne, Rio ran the back of his fingers over her cheek, his touch gentle. “You need rest, Darcy. The next few days will be tough on you physically.”
“Trent’s the one who’s injured.”
“You’re the one who will do a lot of sitting and waiting. You won’t sleep or eat much. The stress will take a huge toll on your body. It would be tough on someone without a physical challenge.”
“Even you?”
“When my teammates are injured, I’m the one who pulls the most bedside shifts.”
She closed her eyes for a moment. Rio didn’t deserve her attitude. It wasn’t his fault she was scared to death she would lose her brother in spite of his assurances to the contrary. She wouldn’t feel better until she saw her brother breathing for herself. “Sorry.”
“What do you do when you’re hurting physically? How do you alleviate the aches?”
“Heat, usually a warm shower.”
“We have a shower in the back. You could try that.”
“Or?”
“Or you could let me hold you a few minutes. Body heat might help your muscles relax so you can rest. Want to try?”